About Timothy Marshall

Tim was a pretty bright guy.  Well educated, smart and blessed with a good helping of common sense.  BSC (Physics) degree from the University of Victoria and an MSc in Industrial Engineering (majoring in Reliability Engineering) from the University of Arizona (Tucson), both sponsored by the Canadian Forces.  (Finishing with a 4.0 GPA wasn’t too shabby either.)  Sponsorship of his Master’s program reflected the high regard that the Army leadership had for him, for his contribution, and for his potential. 

And he was both dedicated and loyal – dedicated to his craft and loyal to those with whom he worked.  He served his country in the Canadian Army and for almost 23 years.  After retirement, Tim continued to apply his knowledge in reliability engineering and asset management with a number of high-profile firms including Acres, Stantec, 4Tell Solutions and Roth IAMS.  His clients were throughout North America.

He was a hard-working, bright guy who easily established a strong rapport with those around him: his ability to laugh, to lead and to inspire people had a profound impact on those with whom he worked and the clients he supported. 

Yet, as was noted in his obituary, his passions lay elsewhere – diving and his family.

First certified as a scuba diver in August 2007 (interestingly, in Barrie Ontario with his daughter Jennifer), the dive bug bit him.   Seriously.  In 2008, he completed the PADI Divemaster and Open Water Instructor Course; a year later, he was a PADI Master Scuba Diver trainer.  Thereafter (always in Barrie): two years as an instructor at Dive Central; two years as an instructor at Gills Diving along with friends and owners Bob and Kim White; and seven years with Chris and Lorraine Sproule at Simcoe Diving. 

Whether diving Lake Simcoe, Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula, under-ice diving somewhere in Ontario (brrrr), or spending countless days at diving resorts in such exotic locations as St. Lucia, Cuba, the Bahamas and off Blackbeard’s Cruises, he was always teaching.  Always making sure people were safe.  Yet always enjoying all that life had to offer.

For all that, he took even greater pride in his family.  Though his two marriages (first to Sheila, later Kelly) ended in divorce, Tim was “buttons-bursting proud” of his family and especially of his children – Jenn, Jake and Lauren.

While the adventures shared with his family, friends, dive partners, buddies and students are all part of his story, Tim’s true legacy is embodied in his children. 

Their stories:

Jake 

I can think of few things that better describe my relationship with my father than his words to me when he was driving me to the airport before I left for basic training.  I remember when I left for basic, my father told me something that his father (my grandfather Alex) had said to Tim in similar circumstances:

                “ ‘It's okay if you don't make it’.”

Dad went on to say that, “at the time this made me angry, because I thought he expected me to fail.  But now I know he meant that he would love even if I did.  So honestly, I have no idea what to say to you."

 To me, my father was the type of man who always wanted to be there for his kids, to pass on advice and lessons learned.  Even when he had no idea what to say, he was the type to try to say something, rather then let us go forward alone.

He could be hard and pushed us to achieve more then we thought we could (and at times, more than we wanted), but when we needed to be told it was okay to fail, he was always understanding of our limits.

I won't say our relationship was perfect.  He was more far driven then I.  Whereas he always strove for perfection, I had more of a "met standard, a pass is a pass" mindset, and this certainly led to a lot of disagreements growing up.  But his drive, and what he imparted of it in me, not only made me the man I am, but got me through some of the toughest times of my life.

I'm proud to have had him drive me to this point and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Jenn

Dad had the pleasure – and I'm sure sometimes misery – of watching me fly through life with fast, usually poorly thought-out, decisions.  He always supported me and helped me no matter what.

He taught me many, many things.  How to burn things on the BBQ, always check to make sure you have your passport before a trip, and do not dye your hair once it greys.  He also taught me that doing the right thing is important.  How cliché right?  He taught me no matter how hard, or how big of a mess you make, you clean it up and you make it right.  Even if its easier to move on it says something about your character to take responsibility for your actions and make things right. 

Let me tell you, growing up that lesson was not fun to learn.  As an adult though, it has served me well.

Dad watched me search for my calling in life with nothing but love, respect and more support then I can ever thank him for.

I studied eco-tourism in college, and then social work in university before finally finding my calling (for now) – cooking and diving.

Dad and I started diving together in 2007.  It was a passion we shared together and with others for many years.  He supported my insane decision to leave the life I'd known behind and hop on a sail boat to cook, dive and learn the sailing life in sunny Bahamas.  He always told me "I had it figured out" when I moved.

Right before that crazy decision I met my husband Dan, who moved all the way to Bahamas because he knew we were meant to be!  He not only stole my heart but my Dad’s as well.  Dad was there to walk me down the aisle on June 1st 2019.

Since then Dan and I have been living in the Bahamas “living the life” while working on live-a-board scuba diving charters!  Until April of 2020 when we returned to Barrie to care for Dad post-surgery and, now, to grieve, pick up the pieces and pick up our dream.

We are hoping to buy our own sail boat and start a family in the next few years. I know that Dad approves. 

Lauren

I lost a man on May 4^th, 2020 who had been in my heart since my first breath but whom I had only met 11 months earlier.  Tim was my birth father and those who know me know the last year brought an overwhelming amount of change and growth as I was able to bring my birth families into my life.

Almost a year earlier, I sat looking at results that could tell me who my birth parents were.... I waited.... I measured every pro and con in the book, felt every feeling and unlike every time before this time I took that step.  I am extremely grateful I did because it brought me to Tim Marshall.  My father by birth and for the last year my other Dad – he brought me answers I'd searched for all my life and filled a hole in my heart I didn't know was there.  Tim convinced me to do things that I never would have done and push past my fears.  I followed him – literally followed him – into a sea swimming with sharks.  I trusted him to keep me safe and he did.

I am so glad I took the plunge and followed Tim on this journey.  My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner so that we could have had more time together.  I will miss him every day and the moments we were not able to share will haunt me.  But I am so thankful he was able to meet my family and share his with me.  I will love Tim forever.